The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-21
"Take HOld.'

"A boy in the we'll! A boy in the
well! A boy in the wellW
This was the cry that rang through
the solitary street of roadside village
one clear summer evening. The days
work was done. The sun had set in
amber and gold. The busy laborers
were resting after their toll in the har-
vest field.
Some one asked "whose boy" it was.
Others inquired chow he had fallen
in." Another wished to know "why
the slab had been removed from the
mouth of the WE'LL" or WHO could
have left the well uncovered.n
But q young msa, hastily stepping
forward and stripping himself of his
jacket, called a crowd of helpers
around him with the words:
"Never mind who did the mischief.
Let us see who can undo it. That is
the question now"
"He is right" said dozen voices !;
and the bucket was lowered, the wind
lass turned, and many eager faces bent
towards the darkness. One voice af-
ter another shouted to the child.
Some advised him to get into the
bucket; some asked him if he were
frightened; but to all the advice and
questions there came no audible reply.
| Not q sound could be heard.
1T has been dry season, and there
is little or no water in the WELL" some
body said.
"Dear meW said the boy's mother;
"and it was only yesterday that / was
grumbling about the water being
scarce"
"Give us a lantern!" shouted the
first man. A lantern was lighted and
brought, but just at this moment the
father of the child was seen elbowing
his way to the front through the
crowd. Immediately the neighbors
made way to him to pass. He had
been away on some business at an ad-
Joining farmers, and, as he returned
through the cleaning of his cottage,
what had been his surprise to see his
own home deserted, the village street
emptied, and crowd gathered at the
we'll.
AS he heard the story and saw his
Door wife wringing her hands, he be-
came very pale. But, calming him
| sell rs UeSl H0 COuld, hO sttiu W liie
men who stood around him:
"Step back, mates! step back, will
you? Leave the child to me-"
Then, examining carefully the
windlass and rope, he drew up the
empty bucket, united it, and weighted
the rope with couple of sacks rolled
tightly together. Then he let it down
again slowly till he felt sure it had
touched the bottom.
Don't speak," he said, looking
around. And, laying him self down
on the ground with his face to the
Wells mouth, he shouted loudly and
clearly: Johnny! take hold of the
rope"
This time there was slight CULVER,
which those holding it could plainly
feel.
"Pull firmly" said the man. "Stea-
dy, mates. steady"
And then .once more putting his
mouth to the well, he said, speaking
into the darkness Hold oil firm, my
child !"
All this time the windlass went on
turning. The well was deep, and the
pull seemed a long one.
At length one good English cheer
rent the air.
"All safe!" shouted the crowd.
"Here he is, and thank you, mates" !"
said the father. as he lifted the child
in his arms, carrying him down the
street.
The little boy was saved! The IA
theirs voice had reached him. He
had been taught to obey; and when
the voice he knew told him to take
hold of the rope, the child could un-
derstand, and lie did it, too. The com
mand was q wise one-it proved the
child's salvation.
"Our Heavenly Father sent His on
ly-begotten Son down into this dark
world. He has provided n way OF
safety. Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved This
is His command. If we obey it, we
are saved"
LET Him take hold Of my strength
that He may make peace with me, and
He shall make peace with me-" Oh.
what a glorious promise, true and
plain! Will you do as Johnny did
down in the dark well? Will you
take "hold of the rope" to-day?